LETTERS TO SANTA

Instead of asking the children to write the traditional letter to Santa
asking for presents for themselves
ask them to write a letter on behalf of someone else that they
think deserves to be rewarded at Christmas time!

Dear Santa,
I am writing to you on behalf of ......................
This person/group is ............
This year he/she/it/they have..............
I think that ..... deserve a present of .........
because ...............
Yours etc

A JOB APPLICATION - AT CHRISTMAS TIME!

Get the kids to answer the following advertisement!

WANTED: A REAL HIGH FLYER!

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic
and energetic individual to help us
maintain a highly successful
home delivery service.

The ideal candidate will join a small but
committed and dynamic team based at our
North Pole offices.

The job will involve some unsociable hours
and inclement weather, with various duties, including
the lifting and transporting
of existing stockings.

Applicants must be willing to travel long
distances and be capable of meeting tight
installation deadlines.

You will also possess excellent
communication skills
(with a good understanding of the
command "Whoooaaa, boy"),a clean
sleigh pulling licence and a perfect sense
of direction.

A background in haulage work,a liking
for snow and previous experience of icy
rooftops are a distinct advantage.

This is a seasonal opportunity
with an excellent holiday package.

It is a temporary position only, though
is expected to lead to a more "stable"
position due to the ongoing popularity of
Christmas.

Starting salary dependent on age and
fondness for raw carrots.

Please provide two glowing references
(and preferably, proof of a glowing nose)
with your application.

If you want to help us deliver quality
goods to homes all over the world then
please apply now to

Santa Claus
c/o The "Steering" Committee
Presents Unlimited,
Christmas Corner,
North Pole.

Interviews will be held on December
24th with view to immediate start.

Graham Denton

NOVELS: Seven Wonders

Here is a list of  seven novels that I have really enjoyed reading and discussing with children over the last few years.

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler by E.L.Konigsburg
When Claudia decides to run away from home she does it in style - and runs away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Bod is a normal boy, except for the fact that he lives in a graveyard, being educated and raised by ghosts.

Holes by Louis Sacher
Stanley Yelnat's life in a juvenile detention centre - a great story about friendship.

The Night of the Burning by Linda Press Wulf
Poland 1921 - Devorah's incredible journey seeking safety in a new land

The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams
Dennis lives in a boring house in a boring street - but discovers what happens when you open your mind

Across a Wide Wide Sea by Michael Morpurgo
Two stories in one - an adventure that sweeps around the world.

Firmin by Sam Savage
The story of a literary rat

ALPHABETS

I have always loved the activity of creating alphabet friezes, books, lists or even poetry.
Their creation is a great example of integrating work in English with work in Visual Arts.
A great idea is to get a senior class to collaborate in creating an alphabet frieze for display in the infant classroom.
Any topic can be chosen - you simply have to find a word for each letter of the alphabet.
The illustration of each object can make use of a number of different art techniques - drawing, painting, printing, collage, montage, mosaic or even fabric applique.
Commercial artists have also produced alphabet books - an opportunity to look at and respond to the work of some very interesting books e.g. "The Lowry Lexicon " or "An Imaginary Menagerie" by Roger McGough.

Animals are often a great first topic to look at - here is a possible list to begin with

A   aardvark
B   bushbaby
C   conger eel
D   dormouse
E   elephant
F   flamingo
G   grasshopper
H   hippo
I    iguana
J    jaguar
K   king cobra
L   llama
M  moose
N   nit
O   ostrich
P   porcupine
Q   quail
R   rattlesnake
S   slug
T  terrapin
U  unicorn
V  vole
W   walrus
X   x-ray fish
Y  yak
Z  zebra 

We have just started on a Christmas lexicon - can you complete one?

A   antlers
B   blitzen the reindeer
C   candles ...........

PRINT AT CHRISTMAS

Use impressed printing techniques to design and print your own Christmas cards.
Get the kids to create a drawn design for a card, keep it simple.
Then, when they are satisfied with their designs, re draw them onto thin sheets of polystyrene.
You can purchase commercial "press print" or use recycled polystyrene sheeting.
An ordinary pencil can be used to draw/make impressions into the polystyrene.
Make sure that the lines/impressions are fairly deep.
These sheets then become their printing blocks.
Roll water based printing inks over them and press onto paper to create your prints.
The blocks can be used over and over again to create multiple prints of any image.
The blocks can also be washed, dried and re-used.
Experiment first with one colour (white ink on black paper is very effective).
Thereafter experiment with adding other colours and with mixing colour.